I don't want to rent a hotel and just sleep in my tent on a beach. Should I be afraid of police?

[gearbox]

On 10/13/2023 at 8:22 AM, SAFETY FIRST said:

It's illegal in Thailand. 

 

Go to Australia and holiday, they like your type, you'll probably be offered social security befefits, free medical etc. 

 

Have fun ????

 

LOL it is definitely illegal in the nanny state, you can camp only in designated camp sites near the beach but never on the sand, and sometimes you get charged 50-80 AUD for a couple of square metres of camping site.

[zzzzz]

20 hours ago, gearbox said:

AFAIK there are no laws in Thailand in regards to wild camping. Obviously it is illegal to camp on private land without asking the owner. The beaches in Thailand are owned by the king and are public property.

 

I've camped on quite a few beaches straight on the sand (he'll need sand pegs), in official camp sites of the national parks, and on secluded remote beaches on the south islands.

 

Ao Yon and Panwa are not secluded, there are plenty of hotels there, no facilities and as TiT the owners around may call the police to move him out. Much better to head south to the camp sites of the Tarutao National Park, the camp sites have good facilities and he'll meet plenty of interesting travellers.

as have i when i cycled thru Thailand < I prefer to be back under the trees thou  ????

[Henryford]

You can get rooms here for 3-500 a night. Why bother with all the hassle of sleeping outside. Could end up costing you more.

[jvs]

I have camped many times on a beach here in Thailand,no problem whatsoever!

If it is a beach with absolutely no other people you can do it also but of course you need some facilities.

What i usually do is find a beach with a restaurant nearby or something like that.

I ask for use of shower and toilet if i buy my meals and drinks there,always accepted and they will even keep an eye out for you.

Be very nice and respectful and you will find the Thai people will be the same.

There is a big increase of camping after Covid and you will see many younger Thais traveling together on motorbikes and camping.

Have fun!

[brianthainess]

On 10/13/2023 at 12:47 AM, vinny41 said:

Op doesn't seem to have made an provision for a toilet unless thinking of using  sea

And why not all the fishing boat crew do.

[brianthainess]

On 10/13/2023 at 1:31 AM, huahinjoe said:

You can get showers at any gyms as well,

And resorts have showers on the beach, gasoline stations for toilets, minibus drivers sleep in their vans in them also.

[brianthainess]

On 10/13/2023 at 4:22 AM, SAFETY FIRST said:

It's illegal in Thailand. 

 

Go to Australia and holiday, they like your type, you'll probably be offered social security befefits, free medical etc. 

 

Have fun ????

 

It's the complete opposite in OZ there you are not allowed to free camp hardly anywhere anymore, local bylaws forbid it, certain criteria can apply, if a self contained camper some places you can, but 2 nights only, yes out in the bush or remote areas you can, one rule I came across was no camping within a certain distance (50k ?) to a camp site, national parks, only on the sites. motels were cheaper than most camp sites.

TTBOMK Thailand has no set laws on camping 

[recom273]

The police are the last thing you should worry about.

 

If you mange to find a nice secluded place, you might find you are sharing it with the local teenage scooter gang. 

 

I have a little experience wild camping, mostly in Malaysia where its more acceptable (mostly as the hotels and whatever are not so appealing) It gets really hot and close in a tent in Thailand, you need somewhere to wash up in the morning or you will feel pretty horrible the next day.

 

You will take your tent down at first light. Some resorts and all national parks allow camping but it's not a cheap alternative. 

 

tbh, you are better off getting a cheap hotel, but by all means bring a hammock and tarp, you could just throw it up if you could find a quiet spot and quickly breakdown at first light.

[brianthainess]

Get a fishing rod throw the line in, your night fishing. ????

Buy a camouflage tent, stay in a workers camp, building site, or market   

[brianthainess]

On 10/13/2023 at 4:22 AM, SAFETY FIRST said:

It's illegal in Thailand. 

no its not. 

[SAFETY FIRST]

6 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

no its not. 

Yes it is 

[brianthainess]

21 hours ago, gearbox said:

I've camped on quite a few beaches straight on the sand (he'll need sand pegs),

Pegs are Not 100% necessary with a bell tent.

[recom273]

One thought .. I always see workers camped under the Sala at the temple. Temples always have water and a kettle for a coffee in the morning.

 

I often drop the wife off at the market and slope off, park the truck in the shade and grab a couple of hours sleep. 

[brianthainess]

1 minute ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Yes it is 

It would depend on your location I know many places on Koh Chang, Post the link on the law if you think so. 

[brianthainess]

1 minute ago, recom273 said:

I often drop the wife off at the market and slope off, park the truck in the shade and grab a couple of hours sleep. 

I think any temple would let one sleep in a tent,  for a short time 

[SAFETY FIRST]

20 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

would depend on your location

The beach

 

The OP says he doesn't want to rent a hotel, he just wants to sleep in his tent on a beach.

 

It's against the law to sleep on the beach in a tent in Thailand. 

[SAFETY FIRST]

2 hours ago, jvs said:

I have camped many times on a beach here in Thailand,no problem whatsoever

You are breaking the law.

 

I have riden my PCX shirtless many times in Thailand, no problem, but I'm breaking the law. 

 

Lots of quirky laws in Thailand. 

[PJ71]

Is your tent air conditioned?

[Photoguy21]

On 10/12/2023 at 8:17 PM, Chris Daley said:

You should be fine just make sure no one sees you.

 

Thailand has a lot of Karens in every area.

And Kevins

[pomchop]

On 10/12/2023 at 9:05 PM, sammieuk1 said:

I would think dogs ants and snakes may evict you before the police ???? 

and don't forget the mosquitoes may extract a pint or two of blood.

[bradiston]

On 10/12/2023 at 7:53 PM, DizzyProtos said:

I come from Romania and have a lot of experience camping in the forest. I'll be in Thailand for 12 nights.
Thinking setting up a tent on Ao Yon or Panwa beach, washing at sea and eating at 7/11 or street food.

Will I get booted by a policeman or would locals likely shoo me off?

Why come here at all?

[jippytum]

When you arrive just tell immigration your address is living on the beach. 

[HarryWho]

 

Check out Hat Wanakon National Park.  Shaded spots for your tent, only steps from the ocean.  Campground with store, showers, coffee spot, etc.  Beautiful loooong beach.

 

 

 

 

[wombat]

On 10/12/2023 at 8:02 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

"Will I get booted by a policeman or would locals likely shoo me off?"

Of course.

You could add t to shoo and I'd say beware ladyboys????

[shackleton]

What about your valuables money passport ect 

You have a good chance of being releaved of them living in a tent no security ect 

[Iforbach]

What's your post code for the tent ..register homeless you get faring package of money ..free baht bus pass @ from the govgoverment 

[gearbox]

5 minutes ago, shackleton said:

What about your valuables money passport ect 

You have a good chance of being releaved of them living in a tent no security ect 

If Shackleton had the same mindset as you he wouldn't have left Ireland ????

[gearbox]

4 hours ago, bradiston said:

Why come here at all?

I've met quite a few people, many of them Germans, who stayed for months camping on the south islands national parks campsites. Many are coming almost every year.

[phetphet]

There are many campgrounds in Thailand. Some private and others, usually in national parks. See on Google.

You might also be able to ask permission from someone to pitch a tent on their land, " for a small fee."

 

You might be able to do it on some of the smaller, quieter islands. I remember about ten years ago, seeng someone camping on a beach in Koh Kood, but it's busier there nowadays.

 

You might get away with stealth camping, but very doubtful. Thais don't seem to miss a thing. Eyes everywhere.

 

Also, you might be leaving yourself open to crime if in out of the way places.

 

https://www.thainationalparks.com

[Datsun 1200]

You would soon die if you ate entirely from 7/11. Bananas are the only fruit they sell and the rest is 100% carbs, ice cream and booze

 

IH